Zlíchovian faunas with early ammonoids from morocco and their use for the correlation of the eastern anti-atlas and the western dra valley

Abstract

Two sections were sampled and measured at Mdâour-El-Kbîr (Dra Valley, western Anti-Atlas) and at eastern Ouidane Chebbi (Tafilalt, eastern Anti-Atlas). In situ elements of two partially limonitized and one carbonatic fauna were found in both sections. We report this fauna from the upper Merzâ-Akhsaï Formation and the lower Mdâour-el-Kbîr Formation at Mdâour-el-Kbîr for the first time. Based on these faunas, we recorded a correlation of the early Emsian (Zlíchovian) strata in the Tafilalt and the Dra Valley regions, which are about 350 km apart. Additionally, new ammonoid finds (Teicherticeras cf. senior, Lenzites gesinae, Weyeroceras angustus) are figured and described including the stratigraphic context. The diagnoses of Lenzites gesinae and Weyeroceras angustus are emended. Tabulate corals (Michelinia mdaourensis sp. nov., Petridictyum sp.) found in both the Tafilalt and Dra Valley are figured and described for the first time.